An airlift of 42 metric tons of emergency relief supplies recently arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The cargo included tents, kitchen kits, and blankets that will be rushed to help victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25. Samaritan’s Purse will be distributing the supplies in isolated, rural communities in the mountains outside Kathmandu that aren’t receiving any other outside help.
These and future supplies Samaritan’s Purse is sending into Nepal will be given to thousands of families. We also are distributing food, installing high-capacity community water filters, and providing medical care.
As the cargo jet was in the air en route from India on May 1, Samaritan’s Purse distributed 18 tons of food to 2,800 people in the village of Lele, where almost every house was leveled by the earthquake.
Food is extremely scarce, and families are now homeless and starving. Many locals say that they only have enough food for a few more days. Some have run out altogether. People in rural areas are walking long distances to other villages, desperate to find something to eat.
We distributed rice, lentils and salt to 500 households. The food will help sustain the families for the next week.
“It is such an honor and privilege to be here and help our Nepalese brothers in need,” said John Freyler, a member of the Samaritan’s Purse disaster response team who assisted in distributing the food. “Many would stop and express their gratitude or simply say thank you.”
Our medical team is also helping this community by partnering with Ananaban Hospital to treat the wounded.
“When I think about today’s distribution, I think about Matthew 25:35-40,” Freyler said. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The food will meet the immediate needs of 2,800 people.
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.